Preserving History: Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society helping people connect with their roots

History. Without it, how can we know who we truly are? Without first knowing where it is that we come from, is it even possible to know where we’re going?

Luckily for folks in Whitley County, the Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society has remained dedicated to preserving local history over the years, ensuring that the people, places and events that have shaped our local communities will not be lost to time.

“The Historical Society formed when a group of individuals in the county, probably 10-12, decided that it was time to do something about preserving our history,” explained Pat Jones, President of the Whitley Genealogical Society. “The group was formed in the mid-90s, and we have grown since that time, now having members all over the United States. Our main objective has always been to preserve the histories, through documents, photos and stories, of the people who helped to make this county down through the years.”

Jones said that the group used to meet in the old Disabled American Veterans building in Williamsburg, and then moved to the old rock house that used to sit on the main Whitley County Schools campus. The Society’s home for many years now, however, has been the old train depot building, located at 529 Main Street, near downtown.

“We were lucky that the college (University of the Cumberlands, formerly Cumberland College) offered us the old depot,” Jones said. “We had to pay $200 a month in rent, but we eventually were able to take the facility over when the college decided that it was not going to use it.”

Jones and her fellow Society members have done a lot of work to the old depot since moving into it. From putting up drywall, to painting, to installing bookcases and carrying in furniture, she says that all of the combined efforts have been “a labor of love.”

“We are here for the public,” Jones said. “We don’t charge for people to come and do research. We have everything here from old yearbooks to family histories to histories of different communities and churches.”

When it comes to doing genealogy work, Jones had several pieces of advice. “I think the most important thing is to not depend on everything that you find online,” she advised. “Go from what you know yourself, and look at your own family’s records. You start near you, and then go from there.”

“There are a lot of websites that you can use,” Jones continued. “But there is also a lot of false information that gets put out there, so you really have to differentiate between what you know to be true and what somebody else is saying. We invite people to come and really get involved in the searches by looking at census records, death records, and in our local cemeteries.”

“Prove it all out as you go,” said Jones. “It’s fun. It’s actually addictive.”

Whether you are deeply involved in genealogical work, you are just getting started, or maybe you’re just interested in learning a little bit of local history, the Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society is the place for you. In addition to their large library of records, they also boast a museum featuring many unique artifacts and heirlooms.

“People have personal items that they don’t want to see get thrown into a yard sale, or be given away,” Jones said. “It’s an opportunity to preserve something that somebody’s children or grandchildren can come and see. It is fascinating to watch people visit, and find something here that is from their family. It’s about keeping that family connection alive.”

Getting back to genealogical work, Jones said, “It is something that you have to dedicate time to. Everything isn’t going to automatically fall into place, but once you find something it makes you want to work towards finding the next piece of information even more. It’s like putting a puzzle together.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the many offerings at the Whitley Genealogical Society should mark Saturday, October 2 on their calendars. That is the currently planned date for this year’s Heritage Day, which is a special event that is hosted each fall at the old depot building.

“Since the last Heritage Day, we have applied for a facade grant,” Jones said. “We received that, and it has been a real blessing. We have been able to repair some of the outer walls of the building, and some steps that were not exactly safe. We also have replaced some of the old lighting.”

Jones invited everyone in the community to come visit on Heritage Day, which will include tours, demonstrations, and maybe even some live music. The museum’s model train room will also be open, as it is always a big hit for visitors of all ages.

Yearly memberships to the Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society can be purchased for $25, and that will include a quarterly copy of Whitley Branches, which is the Society’s official newsletter. These useful booklets contain 50 pages of material such as old news articles, member submitted stories, and historical photographs.

Back issues of Whitley Branches are also available for purchase at the museum.

For more information, search for the Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society on Facebook, or call (606) 549-7089.